Production of alcohols



Patented '3, 1935 UNITED STATES 1 raonUc'rIoN or ALCQHOLS WaltherSchrauth, Berlin-Dahlem, and Theodor Biittler, Rodleben- B. Bosslau,Germany, as signors, by mesne assignments, to ,Unlchem v ChemikalienHandels A.-G., Zurich, Swltzen land, a corporation of Switrerland soDrawing. Application May 3, 1932, Serial No. S U 609,034. In GermanyFebruary 22, 1932 I g 6 Claims. (or. 260-456) I The object of thisinvention is the production I or high molecular-alcohols. j

. In the known processes for hydrogenation of.

coal deposits, coal distillates, tars, mineral oils,

5 fats, and the likev these products are heated to higher temperaturesunder hydrogen pressure in presence of metals or metal oxides or similarcontact agents. Owing to their solid state 01 aggregation such catalystsoften give rise to troubles in the operation of continuous processes orproduction, asthey are liable .to destroy the packings of the pumpinglines when pumped together with the products of the hydrogenationprocess; or their replacement in stationary ap- 15 paratus in case oftoxication or choking can only be efiected with great trouble and lossof time.

, I It is now found that the metal salts of organic acids 01' highmolecular weight-with exception of the salts of alkalis, alkalineearths, and noble g0 metals-can be used with great success as catalystsfor hydrogenation processes operating under high pressure and atincreased temperatures such as the drogenation and splitting of coaldeposits, coal distillates, tars, mineral oils, rats,

25 and the like, the said salts being soluble or emulslve in thereaction-mixture of the hydrogenation and-splitting process as ,well asin the reaction products, so that they can be transported together withthe substances to be hydrogenized 30 in most simple and convenientmanner into. the

reaction chamber without damaging the pressure pumps. Such catalysts arefor instance the known dry substances used in the manufacture oflacquers: copper, zinc, lead, manganese, co-

85 balt, mercuryv salts of palmltic-, stearic-, linseedheated in anautoclave under an initial hydro-' o gen pressure of 80 atm. ,to atemperature of- 450-480, in the course of 2-3 hours 700-800 parts ofreaction products are formed, consisting mostly of benzol homologues,80% of which.

distil over below 180. Instead of nickel oleate,

65 cobalt resinate or mixtures of these alone or for v inst. withmanganic laurate can likewise be enrployed a Example 2.--In order toconvert mineral oils withhigh boiling points, such as panuco oil or coaltar-peat into benzine or benzene hydrocarbons with lowboiling points,3-5% of resinate of mercury or a mixture of equal partsoilinseedacidoleous copper or resinate of zinc or palmitic aluminum areadded to the initial substances,

then heated till a homogeneous, easily fusible mixture is obtained,which is then pressed by hydrogen at 200'atm. pressure into the reactionchamber and heated to 100-500. Owing to the extremely fine distributionof the catalyst, the splitting is effected in shortest time, resultingin hydrocarbons boiling below 200 or 300 and practically no residues.

Example 3.-If a mixture 0120 parts oi copper carbonate and 100 parts 01.oleic acid are added to 1000 partsof cocoanut iat, supplying a darkgreen liquid when heated, and'the reaction mixture is heated to 280-300under a hydrogen pressure of l00-200 atm. a nearly quantitative yieldoithe corresponding cocoanut fatty alcohols is obtained. v

We claim: 1 1. The process .of producing high molecular alcohol whichcomprises adding to natural iats a hydrogenation catalyst of the groupconsisting of copper, zinc, lead, manganese, cobalt and mercury, saltsof palmitic, stearic, linseed oil, colophonic or naphthenic acids andchromous cocoic acid and subjecting the mixture to the action of.hydrogen-under a pressure of about-l00 to 200 a atmospheres and at atemperature of about 280 to300f C. until the esters are separated intoalcohois and acids and the acids are reduced to alcohol.

2. The process of producing high molecular alcohol which comprisesadding to natural fats 40 alcohol which comprises subjecting a mixtureof 50,v

cocoanut fat and copper oleate to the action of hydrogen under apressure approximating to 200 atmospheres and at a temperatureapproximating 280 to 300 6.

4. The process of producing high molecular 5 alcohol which comprisesadding to natural fats, nickel oleate and subjecting themixture' to theaction of hydrogen at a pressure approximating 80 atmospheres and at atemperature approximating 450 to 480 C.

5 The process of producing high molecular alcohol which comprises addingto natural rats the copper salt of linseed oil acid and subjecting themixture to the action 01. hydrogen at a pressure approximating-200atmospheres and at a temperature approximating 400 to 500 0.

gan to 480 c.

6. The process of producing high molecular alcohol which comprisesadding to natural fats a hydrogenation catalyst consisting of a coppersalt of an organic acid of high molecular weight having approximately 12to 18 carbon atoms in the molecule and subjecting the mixture to theaction 'of hydrogen at a pressure or about 80 to 200 atmospheres and ata temperature of about

